A/N: Two today since you're all so awesome.

Puzzle Pieces – Chapter 12

Wednesday

Bella's phone:

"Good morning, Baby. 'Just checking to see if you made it home okay." – E

"IBFOD: The only alcohol that doesn't give me a headache the next day is vodka. I think we polished off a bottle of Chianti each last night. The little one-legged, vampire leprechauns are doing a jig on my brain." – B

"I'm headed home from the hospital now. Do you need me to bring you anything?" – E

"Thank you, but I'll be fine. You go home and rest." – B

"If you think of anything you need, I'm just a call or a text away. Can't wait to see you tonight. I'll pick you up at 6:30." – E

"XOXO" – B

While Edward spent the day sleeping after he'd worked a 16-hour shift, Bella caught up on her chores and played with Thor and Loki. Her hangover eventually went away with the help of a McDonald's Big Mac, large coke, and 3 Advil tablets.

Soon, she heard both dogs pawing at the door. When she opened it, she saw Edward kneeling down, so he was eye-level with Thor and Loki.

Looking up at Bella's amused face, he asked, "I brought them something. Can they have it?"

When Bella nodded, Edward produced two gigantic rawhide chews from behind his back. Handing one to each dog, he watched as they grabbed them and ran off to different corners of the house. Edward stood up and dusted his hands on the legs of his jeans. Stepping forward, he walked into the house and pinned Bella between the door and his body. One kiss turned into several, and soon they were panting for breath.

Edward pulled back and buried his forehead in the crook of Bella's neck. Nuzzling her collarbone, he inhaled the scent of her perfume. "Tell me that we need to go on our date and not to your bedroom."

In a voice that was lower and more raspy than normal, Bella said softly, "We need to go on our date."

When they were in the car, Edward reached over and took Bella's hand in his. Bella squeezed Edward's hand and pulled it into her lap. "I want you to know that I do want to have sex with you. You just mean more to me than that. Sex is easy, and I like you enough to experience the hard with you."

Edward turned his head quickly to look at Bella, "Baby, I guarantee you I have 'the hard' for you to experience."

Bella laughed and jerked her hand free from his so she could smack him on the shoulder. "You know what I mean."

"Yes, I know what you mean, and I agree," Edward reached back and captured her hand again. "I barely remember the women that I had purely physical relationships with, and I don't want that kind of relationship with you. I want to experience more than sex with you, and, as much as I want you, I'm willing to wait. I'm not in a rush. I'm enjoying where we are and where I think we're going."

Bella pulled Edward's hand up and kissed the top of his hand. "I'm glad we're on the same page. Now, what kind of date are you taking me on?"

"I'm glad that you dressed casually. I'm sorry I forgot to say anything. I love that you're just ready for anything. I thought we could go get some dinner from Salty's on Alki and just walk down the beach and hang out."

"That sounds perfect. I'm glad that dating you isn't an ordeal," Bella said. When Edward laughed, she continued, "You know how some people make such a big deal out of dating? Every date is an occasion, and it just takes so much effort. Being with someone ends up being more about what you do and where you go than actually spending time to get to know one another. That's not to say that I don't enjoy the big stuff every once and a while. I just don't think it's necessary for it to be a huge hype every time."

"You mean you don't want to celebrate the anniversary of the first time we met, the first time we held hands, the first time we kissed, and all of the other first time's we'll eventually have?"

Bella laughed because she knew that he was making fun of Alice and Jasper's relationship. "I give Jasper a lot of credit because he remembers all of those anniversaries and always makes Alice feel special, but I would just feel overwhelmed by all of that."

"Good because I'm just not that kind of guy. While it is very important to me that you feel special and cared for, I would fail miserably if I had to throw you a ticker tape parade every other month for something." Edward thought about it for a second and added, "Alice would probably love a ticker tape parade. I should tell Jasper."

What Edward really enjoyed about his time with Bella was that he could talk to her about anything. She wasn't easily offended, and she had a great sense of humor. He didn't feel as if he had to censor himself or be cautious about his words or stories. He could tell her anything, and she didn't judge him. It was easy and natural for them to laugh together, and it made being with her effortless.

Bella was used to spending time with and talking to me. She was in the restaurant industry, and she spent most of her day every day surrounded by mostly men. What made her time with Edward special was all of the little things that he did that made her feel like the most important girl in the world. It was everything from the way he brought a jacket on their walk in case she got cold to the way he let her order almost everything on the menu just because she was curious. Bella knew from experience that not every relationship was like this, and she thanked every lucky star she had for bringing him into her life.

Thursday

Edward was at the nurse's station filling out some of his charts when he felt a hand on his forearm. Glancing from his chart to the hand on his arm, he took a step to the left and away from the offensive forearm grabber.

"Yes, Ms. Mallory. How can I help you?"

Not one to be deterred, Lauren edged closer and put her hand back on Edward's arm. "I was actually hoping that there might be something I could help you with."

Taking another step away, Edward closed his clipboard and handed it to Shelley. "I don't need any of the help you are offering, Ms. Mallory. Please go back to the patients who actually need your assistance. Thank you."

When Lauren left with a pout and a huff, Edward looked down at Shelley who was laughing at him. "Do I send some kind of signal that says to accost me? I'm doing my best to give the 'fuck off' vibe to Lauren, Jessica, and Irina, but they don't get it."

Shelley just shook her head and said, "I'm sorry, Dr. Cullen. You can't be subtle with stupid."

Edward sighed heavily and felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw that Alice sent him a picture. Opening it up, he saw a photo of Bella that made his jaw drop. Bella obviously didn't know that Alice was taking a picture of her. She was looking in the mirror and putting diamond studs in her ears and laughing at something. Scrolling down, Alice's message said, "Playing Bella Barbie. Brother Bear, I have to say that if I ever decided to switch teams, I'd fight you for this hottie with a body."

Just as Edward was about to send a reply back, his phone buzzed again with a message from Rose. Her photo was a little less subtle than Alice's. She took a picture of Bella's silhouette, showing the soft curve of her breasts down to her hips and rounded ass. Edward suppressed a groan and felt his pants tighten a little. Thankful that he was wearing his white coat, Edward walked back to his office quickly.

Once his door was closed behind him, he text his sisters back.

"I'm at work until 11 p.m. and I can't get into XXClusive to see her looking like that. You guys suck." – E

"Actually, I have it on good authority that Bella sucks…she swallows too." – Rose

"FUCKING HELL, ROSE!" – E

"Haha, you got shouty all caps and exclamation points, Rose. It's not just me anymore." – Ali

"What? I just thought you might like to know that little tidbit of information about your girlfriend." – Rose

"Oh! You also might appreciate knowing that your girlfriend signed up for advanced yoga again with me. She's quite bendy." – Ali

"Do you find some sort of sick, twisted enjoyment in furthering my case of blue balls?" – E

"Payback is a bitch, Assward!" – Ali

"That's what you get for leaving us out and not talking to your sisters about stuff that's going on in your life!" – Rose

"You didn't honestly think that we weren't going to do anything to you for not telling us that you were dating Bella." – Ali

"Hey! You're not planning to do anything to Bella are you? Leave her alone you two." – E

"We got to play Bella Barbie. That was our vengeance on both of you." – Ali

"Have fun with your blue balls, brother!" – Rose

"Why couldn't I have been an only child?" – E

About an hour later, Edward was at the nurse's station again conferring with two of his colleagues, Dr. Tyler Crowley and Dr. Michael Newton, on their patients. As he looked at the charts they'd given him, he heard Tyler gasp and Mike groan.

"Is it my birthday? I think it's my birthday and that's the best present ever," Tyler said.

"Fuck you. I think that word is out that I work here, and that gorgeous piece came looking for me," Mike said.

Rolling his eyes, Edward heard the familiar cadence of heels and looked up. There was Bella in all her glory walking down the hallway at the hospital. He'd spent enough time at the mall carrying Alice's bags to know that she was wearing a bandage dress and cropped jacket with the sexiest pair of shoes he'd seen on her.

Bella knew that the two other doctors with Edward were checking her out, but she paid them no mind. Walking straight up to Edward, she smiled and stopped when she stood in front of him.

"Hey Baby. To what do I owe the pleasure of this surprise?" Edward said, as he reached out and ran his fingers through the hair framing her face.

Lifting the package in her hand, Bella said, "I brought you dinner. It was my excuse to come see you before I head to the office."

Taking the package from her, Edward peered at the contents. "Chicken pot pie? You're awesome."

"And mudslide cookies. Try not to eat the whole bag full at one time." Bella smirked and put her hands on the lapels of his white coat. Leaning forward, she placed her lips against his ear and whispered, "You have scrubs at home, right?"

When Edward nodded, Bella pulled back and gave Edward a once over from head to toe. Looking in his eyes, she winked and said, "Good to know."

She bit her bottom lip and turned on her toes to walk back down the hallway. She knew that the other doctors were watching her walk down the hall, and she wasn't afraid to add a little extra sway to her hips. Let them be jealous of Edward, she thought. He deserved to win the sword fight.

When Bella was in the elevator, Tyler and Mike put their tongues back in their mouths and looked at Edward.

"Dude! Who is that?!"

"Does she have a sister?"

Edward just laughed. "My notes are on your charts. I'm taking my dinner break."

Edward ignored his stammering colleagues and turned his back to walk to his office. He had dinner to enjoy.